Method and system for providing data management in data monitoring system

ABSTRACT

Method and system for providing a fault tolerant data receiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processing units, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specific processing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlapping functions of the data monitoring and management system is provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/924,527 filed Jun. 21, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,653,977, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/341,853 filed Dec. 30,2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,714, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/022,610 filed Feb. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,089,363, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/849,007 filed Aug. 2, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,884,729, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/383,945 filed May 17, 2006,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,768,408, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/681,942 filed on May 17, 2005, entitled“Method and System for Providing Data Management in Data MonitoringSystem”, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Data monitoring and management systems such as continuous orsemi-continuous analyte monitoring systems are typically configured toprocess a large amount of data and/or transmit the data over a networkvia a cabled or wireless connection. Such systems typically includedevices such as data transmission devices and data reception deviceswhich are configured to communicate with each other in a time sensitivefashion (e.g. to provide substantially real-time data). For the datamonitoring and management system to properly function, each device orunit in the system needs to be in operational mode. That is, when onecomponent or device is not properly functioning, or is not optimized forperformance in the system, the entire system may be adversely impacted.

Typical devices or components in such systems generally are under thecontrol of a microprocessor or an equivalent device which controls thefunctionality and maintenance of the device. As more features andfunctions are added and incorporated into the device or component in thedata monitoring and management system, the microprocessor is required tohandle the additional processing which imposes a heavy load upon themicroprocessor, and in addition, increases the potential for failuremodes, effectively disabling the device or component in the system.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have a fault tolerantdata monitoring and management system such as in continuous analytemonitoring systems for efficient data monitoring and management.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the various embodiments ofthe present invention, there is provided a fault tolerant data receiverunit configured with partitioned or separate processing units, eachconfigured to perform a predetermined and/or specific processingassociated with the one or more substantially non-overlapping functionsof the data monitoring and management system. In one embodiment, thedata receiver unit includes a communication module, a user interfacemodule and a sample analysis module, and each module is provided with aseparate processing unit. In this manner, in one embodiment, each moduleis configured to perform predetermined functions associated with thedata monitoring and management system to provide a modular, objectedoriented processing architecture.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a data monitoring and management system such as, forexample, an analyte monitoring system 100 for practicing one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the transmitter unit of the data monitoringand management system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the receiver unit of the data monitoring andmanagement system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the quiet host procedure in thereceiver unit of the data monitoring and management system of FIG. 3 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described in detail below, in accordance with the various embodimentsof the present invention, there is provided a fault tolerant datareceiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processingunits, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specificprocessing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlappingfunctions of the data monitoring and management system. In oneembodiment, the data receiver unit includes a communication module, auser interface module and a sample analysis module, and each moduleprovided with a separate processing unit. In this manner, in oneembodiment, each module is configured to perform predetermined functionsassociated with the data monitoring and management system to provide amodular, object oriented processing architecture.

FIG. 1 illustrates a data monitoring and management system such as, forexample, an analyte monitoring system 100 for practicing one embodimentof the present invention. In such embodiment, the analyte monitoringsystem 100 includes an analyte sensor 101, a transmitter unit 102coupled to the sensor 101, and a receiver unit 104 which is configuredto communicate with the transmitter unit 102 via a communication link103. The receiver unit 104 may be further configured to transmit data toa data processing terminal 105 for evaluating the data received by thereceiver unit 104.

Only one sensor 101, transmitter unit 102, communication link 103,receiver unit 104, and data processing terminal 105 are shown in theembodiment of the analyte monitoring system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe analyte monitoring system 100 may include one or more sensor 101,transmitter unit 102, communication link 103, receiver unit 104, anddata processing terminal 105, where each receiver unit 104 is uniquelysynchronized with a respective transmitter unit 102. Moreover, withinthe scope of the present invention, the analyte monitoring system 100may be a continuous monitoring system, or a semi-continuous or discretemonitoring system.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 101 is physicallypositioned on the body of a user whose analyte level is being monitored.The sensor 101 may be configured to continuously sample the analytelevel of the user and convert the sampled analyte level into acorresponding data signal for transmission by the transmitter unit 102.In one embodiment, the transmitter unit 102 is mounted on the sensor 101so that both devices are positioned on the user's body. The transmitterunit 102 performs data processing such as filtering and encoding on datasignals, each of which corresponds to a sampled glucose level of theuser, for transmission to the receiver unit 104 via the communicationlink 103.

Additional analytes that may be monitored or determined by sensor 101include, for example, acetyl choline, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol,chorionic gonadotropin, creatine kinase (e.g., CK-MB), creatine, DNA,fructosamine, glucose, glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones,lactate, peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroidstimulating hormone, and troponin. The concentration of drugs, such as,for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like),digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may alsobe determined.

In one embodiment, the analyte monitoring system 100 is configured as aone-way RF communication path from the transmitter unit 102 to thereceiver unit 104. In such embodiment, the transmitter unit 102transmits the sampled data signals received from the sensor 101 withoutacknowledgement from the receiver unit 104 that the transmitted sampleddata signals have been received. For example, the transmitter unit 102may be configured to transmit the encoded sampled data signals at afixed rate (e.g., at one minute intervals) after the completion of theinitial power on procedure. Likewise, the receiver unit 104 may beconfigured to detect such transmitted encoded sampled data signals atpredetermined time intervals. Alternatively, the analyte monitoringsystem 100 may be configured with a bidirectional RF communicationbetween the transmitter unit 102 and the receiver unit 104.

Additionally, in one aspect, the receiver unit 104 may include twosections. The first section is an analog interface section that isconfigured to communicate with the transmitter unit 102 via thecommunication link 103. In one embodiment, the analog interface sectionmay include an RF receiver and an antenna for receiving and amplifyingthe data signals from the transmitter unit 102, which are thereafter,demodulated with a local oscillator and filtered through a band-passfilter. The second section of the receiver unit 104 is a data processingsection which is configured to process the data signals received fromthe transmitter unit 102 such as by performing data decoding, errordetection and correction, data clock generation, and data bit recovery.

In operation, upon completing the power-on procedure, the receiver unit104 is configured to detect the presence of the transmitter unit 102within its range based on, for example, the strength of the detecteddata signals received from the transmitter unit 102 or a predeterminedtransmitter identification information. Upon successful synchronizationwith the corresponding transmitter unit 102, the receiver unit 104 isconfigured to begin receiving from the transmitter unit 102 data signalscorresponding to the user's detected analyte level. More specifically,the receiver unit 104 in one embodiment is configured to performsynchronized time hopping with the corresponding synchronizedtransmitter unit 102 via the communication link 103 to obtain the user'sdetected analyte level.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the data processing terminal 105 may includea personal computer, a portable computer such as a laptop or a handhelddevice (e.g., personal digital assistants (PDAs)), and the like, each ofwhich may be configured for data communication with the receiver via awired or a wireless connection. Additionally, the data processingterminal 105 may further be connected to a data network (not shown) forstoring, retrieving and updating data corresponding to the detectedanalyte level of the user.

Within the scope of the present invention, the data processing terminal105 may include an infusion device such as an insulin infusion pump(external or implantable), which may be configured to administer insulinto patients, and which is configured to communicate with the receiverunit 104 for receiving, among others, the measured analyte level.Alternatively, the receiver unit 104 may be configured to integrate aninfusion device therein so that the receiver unit 104 is configured toadminister insulin therapy to patients, for example, for administeringand modifying basal profiles, as well as for determining appropriateboluses (e.g., correction bolus, carbohydrate bolus, dual wave bolusincluding normal and extended bolus such as square wave bolus, and soon) for administration based on, among others, the detected analytelevels received from the transmitter unit 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the transmitter of the data monitoring anddetection system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. Referring to the Figure, the transmitter unit 102in one embodiment includes an analog interface 201 configured tocommunicate with the sensor 101 (FIG. 1), a user input 202, and atemperature detection section 203, each of which is operatively coupledto a transmitter processor 204 such as a central processing unit (CPU).As can be seen from FIG. 2, there are provided four contacts comprisedof the working electrode (W) 210, the guard contact (G) 211, thereference electrode (R) 212, and the counter electrode (C) 213, eachoperatively coupled to the analog interface 201 of the transmitter unit102 for connection to the sensor unit 101 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment,the working electrode (W) 210 and reference electrode (R) 212 may bemade using a conductive material that is either printed or etched, forexample, such as carbon which may be printed, or metal foil (e.g., gold)which may be etched.

Further shown in FIG. 2 are a transmitter serial communication section205 and an RF transmitter 206, each of which is also operatively coupledto the transmitter processor 204. Moreover, a power supply 207 such as abattery is also provided in the transmitter unit 102 to provide thenecessary power for the transmitter unit 102. Additionally, as can beseen from the Figure, clock 208 is provided to, among others, supplyreal time information to the transmitter processor 204.

In one embodiment, a unidirectional input path is established from thesensor 101 (FIG. 1) and/or manufacturing and testing equipment to theanalog interface 201 of the transmitter unit 102, while a unidirectionaloutput is established from the output of the RF transmitter 206 of thetransmitter unit 102 for transmission to the receiver 104. In thismanner, a data path is shown in FIG. 2 between the aforementionedunidirectional input and output via a dedicated link 209 from the analoginterface 201 to serial communication section 205, thereafter to theprocessor 204, and then to the RF transmitter 206. As such, in oneembodiment, via the data path described above, the transmitter unit 102is configured to transmit to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1), via thecommunication link 103 (FIG. 1), processed and encoded data signalsreceived from the sensor 101 (FIG. 1). Additionally, the unidirectionalcommunication data path between the analog interface 201 and the RFtransmitter 206 discussed above allows for the configuration of thetransmitter unit 102 for operation upon completion of the manufacturingprocess as well as for direct communication for diagnostic and testingpurposes.

As discussed above, the transmitter processor 204 is configured totransmit control signals to the various sections of the transmitter unit102 during the operation of the transmitter unit 102. In one embodiment,the transmitter processor 204 also includes a memory (not shown) forstoring data such as the identification information for the transmitterunit 102, as well as the data signals received from the sensor 101. Thestored information may be retrieved and processed for transmission tothe receiver 104 under the control of the transmitter processor 204.Furthermore, the power supply 207 may include a commercially availablebattery.

The transmitter unit 102 is also configured such that the power supplysection 207 is capable of providing power to the transmitter for aminimum of three months of continuous operation after having been storedfor 18 months in a low-power (non-operating) mode. In one embodiment,this may be achieved by the transmitter processor 204 operating in lowpower modes in the non-operating state, for example, drawing no morethan approximately 1 μA of current. Indeed, in one embodiment, the finalstep during the manufacturing process of the transmitter unit 102 mayplace the transmitter unit 102 in the lower power, non-operating state(i.e., post-manufacture sleep mode). In this manner, the shelf life ofthe transmitter unit 102 may be significantly improved.

Referring yet again to FIG. 2, the temperature detection section 203 ofthe transmitter unit 102 is configured to monitor the temperature of theskin near the sensor insertion site. The temperature reading is used toadjust the analyte readings obtained from the analog interface 201. TheRF transmitter 206 of the transmitter unit 102 may be configured foroperation in the frequency band of 315 MHz to 322 MHz, for example, inthe United States. Further, in one embodiment, the RF transmitter 206 isconfigured to modulate the carrier frequency by performing FrequencyShift Keying and Manchester encoding. In one embodiment, the datatransmission rate is 19,200 symbols per second, with a minimumtransmission range for communication with the receiver 104.

Additional detailed description of the analyte monitoring system, itsvarious components including the functional descriptions of thetransmitter unit are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,175,752 and 7,811,231,the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

FIG. 3 illustrates the receiver unit of the data monitoring andmanagement system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the receiver unit 300 in oneembodiment of the present invention includes a sample analysis module310, a user interface (UI) module 320, and a communication module 330.In one embodiment, the sample analysis module 310 includes a sampleinterface 311 which is configured to receive a discrete sample forprocessing. For example, the sample interface 311 may in one embodimentinclude a strip port configured to receive a blood glucose strip with ablood sample provided thereon for processing.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the sample analysis module 310 is alsoprovided with an analog front end section 312 which is configured to,among others, process the sample received from the sample interface 311to convert one or more analog signals associated with the acquiredsample characteristics (such as blood glucose level determined from theblood sample received by the sample interface 311) into a correspondingone or more digital signals for further processing.

The analog front end section 312 in one embodiment is furtheroperatively coupled to a sample analysis processing unit 313 which isconfigured, in one embodiment, to process the data received from theanalog front end section 312. Within the scope of the present invention,the sample analysis processing unit 313 is configured to perform dataprocessing associated with sample related data. For example, in oneembodiment of the present invention, the sample analysis processing unit313 may be configured to perform substantially all of the dataprocessing associated with the discretely measured blood glucose data inaddition to the continuous glucose data received from the transmitterunit 102 (FIG. 1).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver unit 314 ofthe sample analysis module 310 is configured to receive analyte relateddata from the transmitter unit 102 (FIG. 1) which is coupled to thesensor 101 that is positioned in fluid contact with the patient'sanalytes. The transceiver unit 314 may be configured for unidirectionalor bidirectional communication.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the sample analysis processing unit 313 inone embodiment is operatively coupled to a transceiver unit 314 totransmit data to a remote device, for example, to the data processingterminal 105 (or an infusion device, or a supplemental receiver/monitor)over a data connection including, for example, a wireless RFcommunication link, or a cabled connection such as a USB connection.

As discussed in further detail below, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the sample analysis processing unit 313 of the sampleanalysis module 310 may include an MSP430 microprocessor (or any otherfunctionally equivalent processing unit) to handle data processingassociated with glucose data, in addition to RF data reception includingperforming data decoding on data received from the transmitter unit 102(FIG. 1). In one aspect of the present invention, communication with thesample analysis module 310 is achieved with an asynchronous serialinterface, and where the sample analysis module 310 may be configured tohandle real time clock, power management, processing of continuous anddiscrete glucose data, monitoring and/or performing processingassociated with the internal temperature, or as the UI watchdog.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the sample analysis processing unit 313 isoperatively coupled to a UI module processing unit 321 of the UI module320. In addition, the UI module processing unit 321 of the UI module 320is also operatively coupled to the communication module 330. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the communication module 330includes a Bluetooth® module configured to communicate under theBluetooth® transmission protocol and otherwise configured to meet theBluetooth® communication protocol standard. Such Bluetooth® module has,for example, a built-in ARM processor to handle all aspects of theBluetooth® protocol in an independent fashion from the sample analysismodule 310, and the user interface (UI) module 320. In one embodiment,the UI module processing unit 321 is configured to communicate with thecommunication module 330 over an asynchronous serial interface.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the communication module 330 in anotherembodiment of the present invention include other types of communicationdevices that may be configured to provide communication functionscompatible to the Bluetooth® module as described above. For example, aUSB interface may be implemented with a TIUSB3410 chip available fromTexas Instruments. The TIUSB3410 has a built-in R8051 processor tohandle all aspects of the USB protocol in an independent fashion fromthe sample analysis module 310, and the user interface (UI) module 320.Other interface methods are available in modular form (i.e. withbuilt-in processors that handle all aspects of the given protocol) suchas, but not limited to WiFi, Home RF, various infrared such as IrDA, andvarious networking such as Ethernet

Referring back again to FIG. 3, the UI module 320 in one embodiment ofthe present invention includes a UI module processing unit 321 which isconfigured to control the functionalities of the components of the UImodule 320, as well as to communicate with the sample analysis module310 and the communication module 330. The UI module 320 also includes aninput unit 326, and output unit 322, a memory unit 323 (including, forexample, both volatile and non-volatile memories), a strip port lightsource generation unit 327, a power supply unit 325, an interface unit328, and a clock generator unit 324. As shown in FIG. 3, in oneembodiment, each of these components of the UI module 320 are configuredto perform the predetermined routines and/or processes under the controlof the UI module processing unit 321.

For example, in one embodiment, the UI module processing unit 321 isconfigured to communicate with the sample analysis module 310 when astrip is inserted into the sample interface 311, and also with thecommunication module 330 for data communication. In addition, within thescope of the present invention, the UI module processing unit 321 in oneembodiment is configured to update the output display on the output unit322, process the received glucose data, maintain a data log (or deviceoperational status log including error or failure mode logs), andperform power management in conjunction with the power supply unit 325.

More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the UImodule 320 is configured to operate as a peripheral device of the sampleanalysis module 310 with respect to power management. That is, thesample analysis module 310 power is not switched and remains valid aslong as a power supply such as a battery with a predetermined signallevel (for example, 1.8V) is installed, or alternatively, asupercapacitor is provided and configured to maintain the predeterminedsignal level. Further, the UI module 320 power is switched off when thepower is low (for example, when the power signal level falls below apredetermined threshold level (such as 2.1 volts, for example)).

Additionally, in one embodiment, the sample analysis module 310 isconfigured to maintain the UI module 320 in a reset status until theoperating state of all UI signals has been established. As such, thesample analysis module 310 may be configured to reset the UI module 320each time it boots so that the sample analysis module 310 and the UImodule 320 remain synchronized. In other words, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the sample analysis module 310 may be configured as amicroprocessor supervisor circuit with respect to the UI module 320.

In this manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, the datamonitoring and management system 100 (FIG. 1) may include a modularconfiguration where data processing functions such as analyte relateddata processing and management of blood glucose data from a discretesample acquisition device (such as a blood glucose meter) and continuousdata stream received from the transmitter unit 102 coupled to theanalyte sensor 101 (FIG. 1) are processed and analyzed by the sampleanalysis processing unit 313, while communication functions are handledby a separate communication module 330. Moreover, in one embodiment,other functionalities of the data monitoring and management system 100(FIG. 1) such as user interface, clock signal generation and the likeare handled by the UI module processing unit 321.

Referring yet again to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the UI moduleprocessing unit 321 may be configured to run between approximately 5 MHzand 33.3 MHz. The output unit 322 may include a display unit which inone embodiment is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In one embodiment, theLCD display unit may be coupled to the bus on the UI module processingunit 321 as a memory mapped peripheral device. Likewise, in one aspect,the memory unit 323 may include an SRAM which is connected to the bus onthe UI module processing unit 321 as a memory mapped peripheral device.In addition, the memory unit 323 may also include a non-volatile memorywhich may be configured to store the log information associated with thereceiver unit 300. In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory mayinclude an EEPROM with a serial peripheral interface to connect to theserial communication interface of the UI module processing unit 321.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the clock generator unit 324 of the receiverunit 300 may be configured to act as a supervisor and a clock generatorto provide spread spectrum processor clock frequency dithering to lowerthe radiated emissions (EMC) of the user interface (UI) module 320.While the real time clock signals may be received from the sampleanalysis module 310, in one aspect, in the absence of the sampleanalysis module 310, the clock generator unit 324 may be configured toprovide the real time clock signal in conjunction with, for example, acrystal oscillator.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the power supply unit 325 in one embodimentmay include a disposable battery with fusing and ESD protection. Whenthe disposable power supply reaches a near end of life status, apredefined signal may be generated which will trigger when the batteryvoltage signal falls below a predetermined level, for example, 2.1Volts. Moreover, to recover from a severe processing load such as forexample, when the communication module 330 (e.g., Bluetooth® module)triggers such signal for communication, a predetermined trigger levelmay be lowered so as to allow the UI module processing unit 321 torecover and maintain its functionality.

In addition, since the signals from the power supply unit 325 is usedprimarily for the UI module 320, the receiver unit 300 power consumptionmay be lowered significantly when the predefined signal associated withthe power supply nearing end of life status is active, so that thesample analysis module 310 may be provided with substantially themaximum amount of power to maintain the real time clock and for failuremitigation. Moreover, the output signal from the power supply unit 325in one embodiment is used by the communication module 330 and may beturned off when the communication module 330 is not in activecommunication mode to reduce quiescent current and to potentiallyincrease the battery life.

Referring yet again to FIG. 3, the power supply unit 325 may beconfigured in one embodiment to supply power to the components of thereceiver unit 300 as shown in the Figure. Referring yet again to FIG. 3,the input unit 326 may include buttons, touch sensitive screen, a jogwheel or any type of input device or mechanism to allow a user to inputinformation or data into the receiver unit 300. In one embodiment, theinput unit 326 may include a plurality of buttons, each of which areoperatively coupled to the UI module processing unit 321. In oneembodiment, the patient or the user may manipulate the input unit 326 toenter data or otherwise provide information so as to be responsive toany commands or signals generated by the receiver unit 300 that promptsfor a user input.

In addition, the output unit 322 may include a backlight component whichis configured to illuminate at least a portion of the output unit 322 inthe case where the receiver unit 300 is used in a substantially darkenvironment. As shown, the output unit 322 is operatively coupled to theUI module processing unit 321, and accordingly, the output unit 322 maybe configured to output display generated or analyzed data under thecontrol of the UI module processing unit 321. Moreover, upon useractivation or by automatic sensing mechanism, the output display 322such as an LCD display unit may turn on the backlight feature so as toilluminate at least a portion of the output unit 322 to enable thepatient to view the output unit 322 in substantially dark environment.

Furthermore, the output unit 322 may also include an audible outputsection such as speakers, and/or a physical output section, such as avibratory alert mechanism. In one embodiment, the audio and vibratoryalert mechanisms may be configured to operate under the control of theUI module processing unit 321, and also, under backup control by thesample analysis processing unit 313 of the sample analysis module 310.In this manner, even if the UI module processing unit fails, the sampleanalysis module 310 may be configured as a backup unit to control theoutput unit 322 for certain predetermined types of alarms and/or alertsthus providing a measure of fault tolerance for the system.

Referring yet still again to FIG. 3, the receiver unit 300 includes thestrip port light source generation unit 327 which is operatively coupledto the UI module processing unit 321, and is configured in oneembodiment to illuminate the sample interface 311 of the sample analysismodule 310 such that, in substantially dark settings, the patient maystill be able to check for blood glucose level easily by inserting thetest strip with the blood sample thereon, into the sample interface 311which may be illuminated by the strip port light source generation unit327. The strip port light source generation unit 327 may also be used asa visual alert mechanism and may be configured to operate under thecontrol of the UI module processing unit 321, and also, under backupcontrol by the sample analysis processing unit 313 of the sampleanalysis module 310.

In addition, the interface unit 328 of the receiver unit 300 in oneembodiment of the present invention may be configured as a cradle unitand/or a docking station. In addition, the interface unit 328 of thereceiver unit 300 may be configured for test and/or diagnostic procedureinterface to test or otherwise configure the receiver unit 300 via theinterface unit 328 during or post manufacturing to ensure that thereceiver unit 300 is properly configured.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the quiet host procedure in thereceiver unit of the data monitoring and management system of FIG. 3 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the sample analysis module 310 maybe configured to assert a quiet host signal prior to an RF reception bythe receiver unit 300 to trigger the UI module processing unit 321 toreduce activity and enter a quiet mode and to suspend all activity bythe communication module 330. Referring to FIG. 4, at step 410 when aquiet host signal is asserted by the sample analysis module processingunit 313, it is determined at step 420 whether the UI module processingunit 321 is in active processing mode. If it is determined that the UImodule processing unit 321 is in active processing mode, then at step430 the current cycle such as the current housekeeping cycle isperformed, and the UI module processing unit 321 returned to theinactive mode at step 440, and the routine terminates. If the activityis user interface or communications related, then the brief pause whilethe quiet host signal is asserted will not be noticed by the user oraffect communications.

On the other hand, referring back to FIG. 4, if at step 420 it isdetermined that the UI module processing unit 321 is not in an activemode, then at step 450, the UI module processing unit 321 is returned tothe active mode, and at step 460 it is determined whether the UI moduleprocessing unit 321 is scheduled to execute some activity such ashousekeeping during the reception of the data transmitted from thetransmitter unit 102 (FIG. 1) by the analysis module 310. If at step 460it is determined that the UI module processing unit 321 is not scheduledto be executing the housekeeping routine, then at step 470 the currentactive cycle is performed, and again, the UI module processing unit 321is configured to enter the inactive mode at step 440 so as to maintain aquiet state during data reception by the analysis module 310.

Referring back to FIG. 4, at step 460 if it is determined that the UImodule processing unit 321 is scheduled to execute some activity such ashousekeeping during the reception of the data transmitted from thetransmitter unit 102 (FIG. 1), then at step 480, the scheduled activity(e.g. housekeeping) is executed on an expedited basis, and at step 490 atime flag is generated which is associated with the expedited activity.The time flag in one embodiment is configured to modify the wakeup timerin the receiver unit 300 such that the UI module processing unit 321 maybe configured to not wakeup during the RF transmission, again so as tomaintain a quiet state during data reception by the analysis module 310.

In the manner described above, in accordance with the variousembodiments of the present invention, there is provided a fault tolerantdata receiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processingunits, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specificprocessing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlappingfunctions of the data monitoring and management system. In oneembodiment, the data receiver unit includes a communication module, auser interface module and a sample analysis module, and each moduleprovided with a separate processing unit. In this manner, in oneembodiment, each module is configured to perform predetermined functionsassociated with the data monitoring and management system to provide amodular, objected oriented processing architecture.

An analyte monitoring and management system in one embodiment of thepresent invention includes an analyte sensor, a transmitter unit coupledto the analyte sensor and configured to receive one or more analyterelated signals from the analyte sensor, and a receiver unit configuredto receive the one or more analyte related signals from the transmitterunit, the receiver unit including a sample analysis module and a userinterface module operatively coupled to the sample analysis module.

The receiver unit may also further include a communication moduleoperatively coupled to the user interface module, where thecommunication module may include a wired or a wireless communicationmodule.

In one aspect, the wireless communication module may include one or moreof a Bluetooth® communication module, a local area network data module,a wide area network data module, or an infrared communication module.

The analyte sensor may include a glucose sensor, where at least aportion of the analyte sensor is in fluid contact with an analyte of apatient.

The analyte may include one or more of an interstitial fluid, blood, oroxygen.

In one embodiment, the sample analysis module may be configured toreceive one or more data associated with a respective one or moreanalyte samples for processing. Further, the one or more analyte samplesare received from a respective one or more glucose test strips.

The sample analysis module may include a sample analysis moduleprocessing unit configured to process the one or more data associatedwith the respective one or more analyte samples, where the one or moreanalyte samples include blood glucose measurements.

In a further aspect, the sample analysis module processing unit may befurther configured to process one or more analyte related signals fromthe transmitter unit.

In yet another aspect, the user interface module may include an outputunit configured to display one or more signals associated with acondition of a patient.

The output unit may be configured to display one or more of a visual,auditory or vibratory output associated with the condition of thepatient.

The visual output may include one or more of a directional arrowindicator, a color indicator, or a size indicator.

The auditory output may be configured to progressively increase ordecrease the associated sound signal over a predetermined time period.

The vibratory output may be configured to progressively increase ordecrease the associated vibratory signal over a predetermined timeperiod.

In addition, the user interface module may include a user interfacemodule processing unit operatively coupled to the output unit, where theuser interface module processing unit may be configured to control theoperation of the output unit.

In still another aspect, the user interface module may include an inputunit configured to receive one or more input commands from a patient.

A data receiver unit in another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a first processing unit configured to perform a firstpredetermined processing, a second processing unit operatively coupledto the first processing unit, the second processing unit configured toperform a second predetermined processing, and a third processing unitoperatively coupled to the second processing unit, the third processingunit configured to perform a third predetermined processing, where thefirst predetermined processing, the second predetermined processing andthe third predetermined processing are substantially non-overlappingfunctions.

The receiver unit may also include a power supply unit operativelycoupled to the second processing unit, the power supply unit configuredto provide power to the first, second and third processing units.

In another aspect, the receiver unit may include a memory unitoperatively coupled to the second processing unit, where the memory unitmay include a non-volatile memory.

The memory unit may be configured to store one or more programminginstructions for execution by one or more of the first processing unit,the second processing unit or the third processing unit.

A method in still another embodiment of the present invention includesconfiguring a first processing unit to perform a first predeterminedprocessing, operatively coupling a second processing unit to the firstprocessing unit, configuring the second processing unit to perform asecond predetermined processing, operatively coupling a third processingunit to the second processing unit, and configuring the third processingunit to perform a third predetermined processing, where the firstpredetermined processing, the second predetermined processing and thethird predetermined processing are substantially non-overlappingfunctions.

The method may also include operatively coupling a power supply to thesecond processing unit, and configuring the power supply unit to providepower to the first, second and the third processing units.

In another aspect, the method may also include further operativelycoupling a memory unit to the second processing unit.

In yet another aspect, the method may also include configuring thememory unit to store one or more programming instructions for executionby one or more of the first processing unit, the second processing unitor the third processing unit.

The various processes described above including the processes performedby the UI module processing unit 321 and the sample analysis module 310in the software application execution environment in the receiver unit300 including the processes and routines described in conjunction withFIG. 4, may be embodied as computer programs developed using an objectoriented language that allows the modeling of complex systems withmodular objects to create abstractions that are representative of realworld, physical objects and their interrelationships. The softwarerequired to carry out the inventive process, which may be stored in thememory unit 323 (for example) of the receiver unit 300 and may bedeveloped by a person of ordinary skill in the art and may include oneor more computer program products.

Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and methodof operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Although the invention has been described in connection with specificpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention asclaimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. It isintended that the following claims define the scope of the presentinvention and that structures and methods within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: generating, by an analytedata receiver, a quiet host signal prior to a data reception period; andin response to the generated quiet host signal, completing, by theanalyte data receiver, a current processing cycle, if any, and entering,by the analyte data receiver, an inactive mode during the data receptionperiod.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including receiving, by theanalyte data receiver, one or more analyte related signals during thedata reception period.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or moreanalyte related signals are received from a transmitter communicativelycoupled with an analyte sensor, wherein at least a portion of theanalyte sensor is in contact with a fluid in a user's body.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the analyte sensor is a glucose sensor. 5.The method of claim 1, further including receiving, by the analyte datareceiver, data associated with an analyte sample.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the analyte sample is received from a glucose test strip. 7.The method of claim 2, further including processing the one or moreanalyte related signals by the analyte data receiver.
 8. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the analyte sample includes a blood glucosemeasurement.
 9. The method of claim 1, further including outputting oneor more signals associated with a physiological condition including oneor more of a directional arrow indicator, a color indicator, or amonitored condition level indicator.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinoutputting the one or more signals associated with the physiologicalcondition includes progressively increasing or decreasing an associatedoutputted signal over a predetermined time period.
 11. A method,comprising: completing a first processing cycle and subsequentlyentering an inactive mode if a predetermined signal is received duringthe first processing cycle, or entering an active mode and determiningwhether a second processing cycle is to be performed during a datareception period if the predetermined signal is received other thanduring the first processing cycle; expediting the second processingcycle, and entering the inactive mode if it is determined that the firstprocessing cycle is to be performed during the data reception period;and performing the second processing cycle and subsequently entering theinactive mode if it is determined that the first processing cycle is tobe performed during the data reception period.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the second processing cycle includes a housekeeping routine.13. A method, comprising: performing, using a first processing unit, afirst predetermined processing routine, and performing, using a secondprocessing unit, a second predetermined processing routine, wherein thefirst and the second predetermined processing routines arenon-overlapping; and prior to a start of a data reception cycle, placingone of the first or the second processing units in an inactive mode,wherein the inactive mode includes suspending all activity of anotherone of the first or second processing units; and receiving one or moreanalyte related signals during the data reception cycle.
 14. The methodof claim 13, further comprising providing medication information basedon the received one or more analyte related signals for administration.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the medication information includesan insulin amount.